U.S. patent application number 13/657034 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-26 for systems, methods, and apparatus for identifying influential individuals.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARE-YOU-COOL, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is ARE-YOU-COOL, INC.. Invention is credited to James Jean-Claude.
Application Number | 20130254286 13/657034 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43386881 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130254286 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jean-Claude; James |
September 26, 2013 |
SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING INFLUENTIAL
INDIVIDUALS
Abstract
In some embodiments, a method includes adding at least one
virtual token to an account associated with a user of a token
server, upon initial association of the user with the token server.
The token server can be configured to transfer virtual tokens to
and from accounts associated with a plurality of users. The token
server can be accessible by one or more electronic devices in
communication with the token server via a network. At least one
virtual token can be transferred from an account associated with a
first user of the token server to an account associated with a
second user of the token server based upon a request received from
the first user of the token server via an electronic device. The
transferred virtual token can be associated, for example, with a
popularity rating of the user receiving the virtual token.
Inventors: |
Jean-Claude; James;
(Washington, DC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ARE-YOU-COOL, INC. |
Washington |
DC |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
ARE-YOU-COOL, INC.
Washington
DC
|
Family ID: |
43386881 |
Appl. No.: |
13/657034 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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12821929 |
Jun 23, 2010 |
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13657034 |
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61219890 |
Jun 24, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/204 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/3672 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101; H04L 67/22 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/204 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/08 20060101
H04L029/08 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: adding to an account associated with a
user of a token server upon initial association of the user with
the token server, at least one virtual token, the token server
being configured to transfer virtual tokens to and from accounts
associated with a plurality of users, the token server being
accessible by one or more electronic devices in communication with
the token server via a network; and transferring at least one
virtual token from an account associated with a first user of the
token server to an account associated with a second user of the
token server based upon a request received from the first user of
the token server via an electronic device.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: storing data
associated with a quantity of virtual tokens associated with one or
more users of the token server.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: storing data
associated with a quantity of virtual tokens associated with one or
more users of the token server; and providing the data to at least
one of a user of the token server or a third party.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transferred virtual token is
associated with a popularity rating of the second user.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one virtual token
added upon initial association of the first user with the token
server is a predetermined finite quantity of virtual tokens.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: prior to the adding,
receiving at the token server a request for membership from the
first user via an electronic device.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: prior to the adding,
receiving at the token server a request for membership from the
first user via a social network website, the social network website
being in communication with the token server via the network, the
first user being a member of the social network website.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: prior to the adding,
receiving at the token server a request for nomination for
membership of the first user with the token server from at least
one of a second user of the token server or a third user of the
token server via an electronic device in communication with the
token server via the network.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: after the
transferring from an account associated with the first user to an
account associated with a second user, transferring the transferred
token back to the account associated with the first user.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying a user
of the token server from the plurality of users of the token server
as influential based on at least one of (1) a quantity of virtual
tokens associated with an account of the user, or (2) the rate of
receipt of a predetermined quantity of virtual tokens associated
with the user, or (3) a geographic location of the user.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying a user
of the token server from the plurality of users of the token server
as influential based on a quantity of virtual tokens associated
with an account of the user; and sending a notification to at least
another user of the token server from the plurality of users of the
token server identifying the user as influential.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: adding to an account
associated with a user of the token server at least one virtual
token based on an activity associated with the user of the token
server.
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: adding to at least
one account associated with a user of the token server a first
virtual token having a first value and adding to at least one
account associated with a user of the token server a second virtual
token having a second value different than the first value.
14. A processor-readable medium storing code representing
instructions to cause a processor to perform a process, the code
comprising code to: add to an account associated with a user of a
token server upon initial association of the user with the token
server, at least one virtual token, the token server being
configured to transfer virtual tokens to and from accounts
associated with a plurality of users, the token server being
accessible by one or more electronic devices in communication with
the token server via a network; and transfer at least one virtual
token from an account associated with a first user of the token
server to an account associated with a second user of the token
server based upon a request received from the first user of the
token server via an electronic device.
15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, further comprising
code to: store data associated with a quantity of virtual tokens
associated with one or more users of the token server.
16. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, further comprising
code to: store data associated with a quantity of virtual tokens
associated with one or more users of the token server; and provide
the data to at least one of a user of the token server or a third
party.
17. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the
transferred virtual token is associated with a popularity rating of
the second user.
18. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the at least
one virtual token added upon initial association of the first user
with the token server is a predetermined finite quantity of virtual
tokens.
19. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, further comprising
code to: prior to the adding, receive at the token server a request
for membership from the first user via an electronic device.
20. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, further comprising
code to: prior to the adding, receive at the token server a request
for membership from the first user via a social network website,
the social network website being in communication with the token
server via the network, the first user being a member of the social
network website.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/821,929, filed Jun. 23, 2010, entitled
"Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Identifying Influential
Individuals," which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/219,890, filed Jun. 24,
2009, entitled "Systems, Methods, and Apparatus for Identifying
Influential Individuals," the disclosures of which are incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The invention relates generally to methods, systems and
apparatus related to identification of influential individuals and
relationships among individuals.
[0003] Newspaper advertising, mass mailing campaigns, television
and radio ads have generally been used by advertisers and marketers
to influence the tastes and trends of individuals. These
advertising methods are expensive and attempt to cast wide nets in
order to catch the select few potential customers some sponsors are
trying to reach. As a result, financial and other resources are
wasted because these methods are not well focused on those select
few potential customers.
SUMMARY
[0004] In some embodiments, a method includes adding at least one
virtual token to an account associated with a user of a token
server, upon initial association of the user with the token server.
The token server is configured to transfer virtual tokens to and
from accounts associated with a plurality of users. The token
server can be accessible by one or more electronic devices in
communication with the token server via a network. At least one
virtual token is transferred from an account associated with a
first user of the token server to an account associated with a
second user of the token server based upon a request received from
the first user of the token server via an electronic device. The
transferred virtual token can be associated, for example, with a
popularity rating of the user receiving the virtual token.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0005] FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a system for
distributing tokens via a communications network, according to an
embodiment.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating user access of a token
server according to an embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system for distributing
tokens via a communications network according to another
embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an
embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to
another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Every clique or group of individuals has influential
individuals sometimes referred to as alpha male(s) or queen bee(s).
These individuals influence the tastes, trends, and/or actions of
their peers. Some embodiments disclosed herein can be useful in
identifying such influential individuals. For example, an
application, service, widget, or other interface can be provided
within a social network application such as Facebook.TM.,
MySpace.TM., Bebo.TM., or as some other application in
communication with a network. In some embodiments, influential or
popular individuals can be nominated (e.g., via tokens or votes)
for member status on the site by friends who think they are cool.
Those who reach a required number of nominations can become
eligible for free gifts and invitations to exclusive events
courtesy of the service and its sponsors or partners (e.g.,
companies, advertisers, and/or marketers). Individuals can be
incentivized to join the service or be active in the service (e.g.,
an online community) by way of free products and services from
sponsors and marketing partners when these individuals reach the
requisite number of nominations.
[0011] Individuals can join or subscribe to the service
(application, widget, or other interface) and receive a finite
number of tokens or votes (also referred to as "cool coins" or
"virtual tokens") that can be distributed via the service to other
members or subscribers of the service. Cool coins can be the
currency that members give to those they identify as influential,
special, or cool. In one embodiment, each member receives one
hundred cool coins to trade or distribute to other members of the
service upon subscription to the service. For example, an
application, widget, or other interface to the service can be
provided within one or more social networks (e.g., a webpage
providing an interface into a social network such as a user profile
webpage), and members can distribute and/or receive cool coins via
the application, widget, or other interface. In other words, a
member can have a single subscription or account to the service
with a single user profile and access the service from more than
one website, social network, or other community. In some
embodiments, a subscription to the service can be associated with
or related to a single website, social network, or other community
(e.g., an online community). Thus, in some embodiments, a member
can have multiple access capabilities to the service (e.g., a
subscription at one or more of the websites, social network, or
other community). In some embodiments, the service can be provided
via a single website, social network, or other community. Said
differently, the service can be exclusive to a website, social
network, or other community such that cool coins or other tokens
are distributed exclusively to and from members of that website,
social network, or other community. Thus, a user can have multiple
social network identities associated with a single user account and
profile for the service.
[0012] A threshold of cool coins such as, for example, ten cool
coins can be set to define an influential individual. In some
embodiments, influential individuals can be referred as "cool." In
other words, a member is categorized or described within the
service as cool (or an influential individual) after that member
receives ten cool coins from other members of the service. In some
embodiments, other thresholds such as, for example, a greater or
smaller quantity of cool coins or a rate of receipt of cool coins
can be used to describe or flag a member as cool or
influential.
[0013] After a member has been categorized as cool, that member can
be provided with free gifts such as products and/or services and
invitations to exclusive events from sponsors and partners. The
member can then tell other individuals (e.g., friends and
acquaintances) about the product, service, and/or event, which
generates interest and demand for desirable products, services,
and/or events. In other words, the member can influence other
individuals to purchase or pay for the products, services, and/or
events provided to the member for free.
[0014] In some embodiments, rules or limitations can be imposed
upon the trade or distribution of cool coins. For example, each
cool coin can only be given or taken away once per month; a limit
can be placed on the quantity of cool coins any member can possess;
the quantity of cool coins any member can possess can be unlimited;
a quantity of cool coins a member can distribute can be limited and
a quantity of cool coins that member can possess (e.g., receive
from other members) can be unlimited; any member can only give one
cool coin to any other member; any member can repossess (e.g.,
rescind or take back) a cool coin that that member gave to another
member; and/or cool coins can be automatically returned to the
member that originally held those cool coins (i.e., the member that
received the cool coins upon subscription to the service) at some
interval such as a yearly interval. In some embodiments, cool coins
can include tracking information such that interaction between
members can be observed. For example, to observe which member gives
coins to other members to identify social cliques or networks, and
monitor activity. For example, each cool coin can have a unique
identifier that can be tracked and monitored as it is transferred
from one account to another. In some embodiments, cool coins can
include time and date stamps to allow monitoring of trading
activity. Members can be limited to a single account or
subscription to limit cool coin abuse. For example, having a single
user account can prevent members from giving cool coins from one
account held by that member to another account also held by that
member in order to artificially inflate that member's own number of
cool coins.
[0015] In addition, many known rating systems, regardless of the
methodology used or purpose of the rating system, allow for
manipulation of data by a user by repeat usage of the system via
multiple visits to the website or multiple recorded votes using one
or multiple profiles and computers. The service or token system
described herein can include a serial number system that assigns a
unique value or serial number to each cool coin, which can help
limit fraud and data manipulation. Thus, the token system described
herein can provide a security feature not available in other rating
systems. For example, the token system can limit the number of cool
coins that can be given to a recipient from another user/member.
The limit can be, for example, one cool coin.
[0016] A vote or rating of approval by an individual can signify
their opinion or feelings in regard to the
person/product/trend/thing at "that moment in time." Many known
rating systems can only offer a "snapshot" of the sentiment/opinion
one has and wishes to convey. In the token system described herein,
allocation of a cool coin or token to an individual
person/product/thing can reflect not only their favorable opinion
of that object/person at that moment, but in perpetuity and in
"real-time" up until, for example, the token giver retracts that
token from the recipient. This can provide an accurate measure, and
reflect the true dynamics of opinions and how they can change over
time. Interpersonal relationships are dynamic, and the giving of a
cool coin can measure and reflect that dynamic nature by providing
the widget tools for members/users to reward/identify the
behavior/products/persons/trends they find "cool" or desirable or
admirable at a given time. The revocation of a token previously
given to another can be meant to signify a lack of desire or
respect for a product/person/thing that a user no longer finds to
be "cool". The scarcity and limiting of the number of tokens
available for distribution also forces the users to self-identify
and rank those products/persons/things they deem to be cool or
important. In another example, the non-issuance of a cool coin or
token by a member/user when requested by another user/member can
signify their neutral or negative feelings/opinions toward that
person/product/thing, or that the person may not rise to the
high-level of opinion or favorability necessary for the
rewarding/allocation of a token or cool coin.
[0017] In some embodiments, bonus cool coins (e.g., in addition to
the quantity provided during subscription or membership creation
within the service) can be given by a company, advertiser, or
marketer to a member to encourage certain behavior or promote
certain products. Additionally, incentive programs to earn bonus
cool coins can add to a member's total. Bonus cool coins can be
given for taking surveys, participating in focus groups, spending a
certain amount of time on a website or within a social network,
attending certain events, or purchasing select products from
sponsors, etc.
[0018] In some embodiments, multiple classes of cool coins can
exist. For example, gold coins can be the original or initial cool
coins that all members receive when joining the service. Purple
cool coins can be provided to known influential individuals, for
example, celebrities and company executives to distribute to those
they deem or consider cool or influential. In some embodiments, one
purple cool coin can be equivalent in value to ten gold cool coins.
Red cool coins can be company-, advertiser-, or marketer- (can also
be referred to collectively as "partners") issued cool coins to
give to members for specific promotions or rewards. In some
embodiments, red cool coins can be, for example, equivalent in
value to five gold cool coins.
[0019] The service (also referred to as a marketing tool) can help
marketers identify social leaders of a variety of demographics or
cliques. This marketing tool can identify the social leaders (or
influential individuals), and a website (or widget or application
within or related to a social network) can be a database of these
individuals. Marketers who want their products to be considered
cool or trendy can pay for access to these trendsetters (e.g.,
become sponsors or partners of the service). Because marketers can
directly identify and interact with influential individuals (or
trendsetters), marketing efforts and resources can be efficiently
allocated to influence the behavior of key influential individuals.
For example, the service can monitor and track the transfer of cool
coins between members and determine if a member has met a
predetermined basis for being identified as cool or influential.
This information can be made available to other members and/or
third parties, such as marketers.
[0020] The service can generate income by connecting, and managing
the relationships between influential or cool members and other
members. Cool members can be provided with free passes to movie
premieres (e.g., a cool member can see a movie before it is
publicly released and be allowed to discuss the movie with friends
to generate interest in the movie), free listening parties for
recording artists who wish to promote their music, free products,
etc. for their participation in the service. These members can
function as a mass focus group for sponsors and partners who
provide the free products for the members' consideration. The
marketers can benefit when the members consider their products to
be cool and discuss these products to create demand (or "generate
buzz") for the products amongst their peers. The advance buzz or
demand will generate sales or grassroots support for their
products, films, music, services, and/or other marketed items.
[0021] A member can receive gifts and/or other rewards for
participating in various events, such as, surveys, focus groups, or
for example, using a particular product. A sponsor of such events
can receive information about users of the token server to help
identify a target individual or group for a promotional activity.
The target user can receive notification that there is a survey
from a sponsor along with information about the gifts and rules
associated with the promotion. The notification can also contain a
link to a survey webpage. In addition, a user can be provided with
a list of surveys to which he/she has been invited to participate.
For example, the list can include information such as the name of
the sponsor, the time period for filling out the survey, the name
of the survey, and/or a link to the survey page. A survey can
provide for users to receive a promotional gift for participating,
or winners can be determined based on certain criteria.
Notification that a user is found eligible for a promotional gift
can be announced through several channels, for example, promotional
banners on the token server website, notifications via email,
newsletters, etc.
[0022] Similar to celebrities who receive free clothing from
designers or gift bags at awards shows for promotional purposes,
everyday, but popular (e.g., influential or cool), regular citizens
will receive star treatment, just for being themselves, and for
using the products they are given. In return, sponsors and partners
receive a "viral" form of marketing unlike any other. For example,
significant demand can be created for a product in a school in
response to the most popular student receiving and using the latest
MP3 player, cellular phone, or other product for free. Envy,
jealousy, admiration, imitation and an effort to "keep up with the
Joneses" will persuade many of the student's classmates to purchase
similar products. This grassroots-level marketing method and
related systems and apparatus is the basis for a unique form of
advertising.
[0023] In some embodiments, sponsors and partners can pay a fee for
access to influential members of the service. For example, to
receive data associated with the transfer of cool coins between
members as described previously. Additionally, websites related to
the service can sell advertising space including, for example,
click-through or pay-per-click advertisements. In some embodiments,
sponsors and partners can have discounted or free advertising space
on such websites. Furthermore, access to data related to the
interactions among members (e.g., information related to which
members are giving or repossessing cool coins from which other
members) can be marketed or sold for market data collection and
analysis, and event promotion.
[0024] In the following example, a company wants to reach certain
people in a community of 10,000. Instead of taking on expensive
options, such as a full page ad in the local newspaper, or buying a
television commercial, this service can offer a cost effective
marketing campaign that targets 500 or 1,000 of the most socially
influential people in that community of 10,000 and let their
approval of a product and word-of-mouth promotion of the product
create a trend or grassroots support for that product. Because cool
coins are currency unique to the service, cool coins can help
marketers identify the most popular members of various websites,
social networks, and communities (both online and offline). By
identifying influential individuals, the service helps marketers
save significant amounts of wasted dollars lost in traditional
methods of advertising by more accurately targeting the audiences
they are trying to reach.
[0025] Additionally, the website can help marketers identify social
leaders of, or within, a variety of demographics or cliques. By
identifying those social leaders, marketers can directly reach out
to them to influence their peers into using a sponsor's products or
services. Because marketers directly influence the individuals who
influence groups, this sort of marketing can be, for example, more
efficient than other marketing or advertising methods.
[0026] Furthermore, the website can identify (or aid in
identification of) the various roles of one or more individuals
within different cliques. For example, an individual can be a
social leader within a first clique (or group of cliques), and not
be a social leader in a second clique (or group of cliques). By
tracking the flow of cool coins between members, it can be possible
to determine that an individual receives many cool coins from
members of the first clique (and is therefore deemed a social
leader within the first clique), and receives few, if any, cool
coins from members of the second clique (and is therefore not
deemed a social leader within the second clique). Thus, the role(s)
of an individual in multiple cliques or other social groups can be
determined and/or monitored as the role(s) in the cliques change
over time.
[0027] The service can provide sponsors, partners, and/or other
companies or individuals with various advertising methodologies
including: pay-per-click advertising; direct product promotion
(e.g., distributing products to cool members); pay-per-impressions
advertising (e.g., pay per 1,000 views); a "Cool Products Corner"
such as an online shopping room, website, or webpage including
trendy products selected by the service, sponsors or partners, and
members are sold, and a commission can be collected for each
product sold in the room; "Cool Correspondence" such as a weekly
email from the service to all members featuring website news and
articles of interest on the latest trends and fashion and including
advertisements and links to services or products; pop-up ads; focus
group organization in which participants are recruited based on,
for example, the number of cool coins held by those members; market
data collection and analysis (e.g., which individuals or classes of
individuals are cool and which products or services interest these
individuals; event promotion; music and movie promotion; and
charity fundraising and/or awareness. In some embodiments, web
search engines can be partners, these search engines can pay a fee
for each member that is directed to the search engine. In some
embodiments, the service can include a "Cool Content Section" such
as an online chat room, website, or webpage featuring articles and
news related to fashion and trends, social gossip, and/or news.
This section can encourage members to visit a social network,
website, or other online application more often and to stay on
longer. Banner advertising and promotional links paid for by
sponsors and partners can be included in this room as well.
[0028] The cool coins service (also referred to as a widget,
system, and/or website) can accurately measure in real-time the
popularity of consumer products, people, friendships, and works of
art (music, film, visual, audio, literary, etc). This measurement
system is accurate in real-time because members have only a finite
number of cool coins that can be distributed, and these cool coins
can be repossessed or revoked if a members' impression of another
individual changes. What is cool or popular now can change quickly,
and often; this service accounts for those changes. For example, by
limiting the number of cool coins a member can give away, a finite
resource is created that has no real purchasing power but real
influence in a promotions and rewards system, on the development of
products, and the marketing of products, brands, and/or people. In
some embodiments, members do not receive additional cool coins to
give away in addition to the number they start with, therefore they
will be forced to be selective in whom or what they reward with
these cool coins. If a member has distributed all the cool coins
they were originally allocated when they created their account with
the service, and then encounter another product or member they
would like to reward with a cool coin; that member can repossess or
reclaim a cool coin from a previous recipient and give that cool
coin to another member. Generally, the cool coin will be reclaimed
from a member that the repossessing member does not consider as
cool or desirable as the new recipient member. The limited number
coin allotment compels members to rank all their friends, music,
films, consumer products, etc.; and to be selective as to whom they
reward with cool coins. Thus, the cool coins service empowers the
members of the service to decide who gets rewarded and under what
criteria. In other words, the actions of the members (e.g.,
distribution of cool coins) defines what people, products, works of
art, etc. are cool at any given time, and which should be
rewarded.
[0029] The cool coins service can also be used to identify
relationships among users, for example, based on the social theory
of "Six Degrees of Separation." In some embodiments, the service
includes a "Pal Pyramid" system. Each new member can be the head or
point of a new "Pal Pyramid," and/or the brick in another member's
Pal Pyramid. For example, new member A joins the program and
becomes the head of Pal Pyramid "A". That member then builds up the
Pal Pyramids of others by distributing coins, for example, to
friends and family, etc; and grows his own by receiving coins from
friends and family, etc. In other words, that member becomes a
brick in the pyramids of every friend he gives a coin to, and the
friends whom give member "A" a coin become a brick in Pal Pyramid
"A". By correlating bricks (e.g., relationships) of the Pal
Pyramids, social groups can be identified and information about
social groups such as who knows who via the "six degrees of
separation" principles can be determined, for example. In some
embodiments, members with taller (or bigger) Pal Pyramids can
receive greater rewards than shorter (or smaller) Pal Pyramids. In
some embodiments, all qualified (e.g., having a requisite number of
bricks or of a required size) Pal Pyramids can receive some type of
reward.
[0030] Similarly, the service can be used to identify relationships
among multiple groups or cliques. For example, a single member can
receive cool coins from other members that are associated or
affiliated with various different groups. Analysis of the flow of
coins from these members to the single member can reveal that the
single member is influential among the various groups. More
specifically, for example, a member can be designated as cool
within one group (e.g., people living in New York City) after that
member receives 1,000 cool coins from members of that group, and
can be designated as cool within another group (e.g., members of a
particular profession) after that member receives 100 cool coins
from members of that group. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a
first group can be designated as influential to a second group if a
predetermined number of members of the first group have been
designated as influential within the second group.
[0031] In some embodiments, a group can receive cool coins from
another group or another individual. For example, a particular club
or association can have a subscription with the service with a
group user profile. The group as a whole can receive benefits from
being deemed cool or influential rather than the individual members
of the group. In addition, artifacts, such as a video, a song, a
book, products, etc. can receive cool coins. For example, a group
or individual member, or third party can sponsor an artifact, and
members of the service can transfer cool coins to that artifact to
indicate that they find it cool or interesting.
[0032] In some embodiments, the numbers or quantities of coins can
be given geographic or social weights or weighting multiples to
determine whether a member is cool or qualified for some reward.
Said differently, a determination that a member is cool or
qualified for some reward can be based on criteria other than, or
in addition to, the quantity of coins that member has received. For
example, that a member in New York City has one hundred cool coins
does not necessarily convey the same information about the
influence or popularity of a member in Idaho with one hundred cool
coins. The member in Idaho may have an equal coin total to that
member in New York City, but the Idaho member is in the top 10% of
his geographical peer group, whereas the New York City member is in
the top 30% of his geographical peer group. Thus, the Idaho member
can be deemed more influential than the New York City member and
can be treated better or rewarded more than the New York City
member.
[0033] In some embodiments, the service can be provided by a
computer server operatively coupled to a network, and can be
accessed by client devices such as personal computers, cellular
devices, personal digital assistants, and/or other devices
operatively coupled to the network and running web (or Internet)
browsers or other applications. For example, the service can be
provided by a web server accessible via the Internet and client
devices (and members using the client devices) can access the
service with web browsers running on the client devices via the
Internet.
[0034] FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of system 100 for
distributing tokens via a communications network, according to an
embodiment. System 100 includes web server 120, token server 130,
and computer terminal 150 operatively coupled to communications
network 140. Computer terminal 150 can be any of a variety of
communication devices that can be operatively coupled to
communications network 140. For example, a computer terminal can be
a personal computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital
assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, and/or some other
communication device. Computer terminal 150 can include a web
browser configured to access a webpage or website (such as a social
network application or online community) hosted on or accessible
via web server 120 over communications network 140. A webpage or
website can be accessed by a user of a web browser at computer
terminal 150 by providing the web browser with a reference such as
a uniform resource locator (URL), for example, of a webpage. In
some embodiments, computer terminal 150 can include specialized
software for accessing web server 120 other than a browser such as,
for example, a specialized network-enabled application or program.
In some embodiments, portions of a website accessible via web
server 120 can be located in a database (not shown) accessible to
web server 120. Similarly, a database (not shown) including, for
example, information related to quantities or exchanges of tokens
can be accessible to token server 130.
[0035] Communications network 140 can be any communications network
configurable to allow web server 120, token server 130 and computer
terminal 150 to communicate with communications network 140 and/or
to each other through communications network 140. In other words,
communications network 140 can be any network or combination of
networks capable of transmitting information (e.g., data and/or
signals) including, for example, a telephone network, an Ethernet
network, a fiber-optic network, a wireless network, and/or a
cellular network.
[0036] In some embodiments, communications network 140 can include
multiple networks operatively coupled one to another by, for
example, network bridges, routers, switches and/or gateways. For
example, computer terminal 150 can be operatively coupled to a
cellular network, web server 120 can be operatively coupled to an
Ethernet network, and token server 130 can be operatively coupled
to a fiber-optic network. The cellular network, Ethernet network
and fiber-optic network can each be operatively coupled one to
another via one or more network bridges, routers, switches and/or
gateways such that the cellular network, the Ethernet network and
the fiber-optic network are operatively coupled to form
collectively a communications network. Alternatively, for example,
the cellular network, the Ethernet network and the fiber-optic
network can each be operatively coupled to the Internet such that
the cellular network, the Ethernet network, the fiber-optic network
and the Internet are operatively coupled to form collectively a
communications network.
[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 1, web server 120 is operatively
coupled to communications network 140 via network connection 123;
token server 130 is operatively coupled to communications network
140 via network connection 133; and computer terminal 150 is
operatively coupled to communications network 140 via network
connection 153. Network connections 123, 133 and 153 can be any
appropriate network connection for operatively coupling web server
120, token server 130 and computer terminal 150, respectively, to
communications network 140.
[0038] In some embodiments, a network connection can be a wireless
network connection such as, for example, a wireless fidelity
(Wi-Fi) or wireless local area network (WLAN) connection, a
wireless wide area network (WWAN) connection, and/or a cellular
connection. In some embodiments, a network connection can be a
cable connection such as, for example, an Ethernet connection, a
digital subscription line (DSL) connection, a broadband coaxial
connection, and/or a fiber-optic connection. In some embodiments, a
computer terminal, a web server and/or a token server can be
operatively coupled to a communications network by heterogeneous
network connections. For example, a computer terminal can be
operatively coupled to the communications network by a WWAN network
connection, a web server can be operatively coupled to the
communications network by a DSL network connection, and a token
server can be operatively coupled to the communications network by
a fiber-optic network connection.
[0039] In some embodiments web server 120, token server 130, and/or
computer terminal 150 includes (not shown) a processor, a network
interface, and a memory. For example, web server 130 can be
operatively coupled to communications network 140 via a network
interface and network connection 133. The network interface can be
any network interface configurable to be operatively coupled to
communications network 140 via network connection 133. For example,
a network interface can be a wireless interface such as, for
example, a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX)
interface, a high-speed packet access (HSPA) interface, and/or a
WLAN interface. A network interface can also be, for example, an
Ethernet interface, a broadband interface, a fiber-optic interface,
and/or a telephony interface.
[0040] In some embodiments, one or more of web server 120, token
server 130, and/or computer terminal 150 can be a virtual device
implemented in software such as, for example, a virtual machine
executing on or in a processor. For example, a token server can be
a software module executing in a virtual machine environment such
as, for example, a Java.TM. module executing in a Java.TM. Virtual
Machine (JVM), or an operating system executing in a VMware.TM.
virtual machine. In some such embodiments, a network interface, a
processor, and a memory can be virtualized and implemented in
software executing in, or as part of, a virtual machine.
[0041] Web server 120 can provide access to a webpage including a
widget or application configured to allow a user of computer
terminal 150 to distribute tokens or cool coins. For example, an
application can provide a list of members of a social network that
are associated with the user of computer terminal 150, a balance of
tokens the user of computer terminal 150 has that can be
distributed, and a balance of tokens the user of computer terminal
150 has received from other members of the social network. In some
embodiments, web server 120 can communicate with token server 130
via communications network 140 to determine the balance (or
quantity) of tokens the user of computer terminal 150 has that can
be distributed, and/or the balance (or quantity) of tokens the user
of computer terminal 150 has received from other members of the
social network. In other words, token server 130 can store and/or
monitor balances and/or exchanges of tokens in response to
communication from web server 120. In some embodiments, the widget
or application can be hosted at token server 130 and displayed at a
portion of a webpage or website hosted at web server 120.
[0042] The user of computer terminal 150 can select another member
from the list of members and send (via computer terminal 150) one
or more signals (e.g., one or more data packets) to web server 120
and/or token server 130 indicating that a number of tokens from the
balance of tokens the user of computer terminal 150 has to
distribute should be sent to the selected member. Web site 120
and/or token server 130 can receive the signal and distribute the
tokens based on the signal (e.g., reduce the balance of tokens the
user of computer terminal 150 has to distribute and increase the
balance of tokens the selected member has received). In some
embodiments, the signal is sent to web server 120 and web server
120 sends a portion of the signal (or another signal based on the
signal sent from computer terminal 150) to token server 130. Token
server 130 can then distribute the tokens. In some embodiments, the
signal can be sent to token server 130, and token server 130 can
distribute the tokens and provide an update signal to web server
120 including updated balances of tokens (e.g., a balance of tokens
the user of computer terminal 150 has that can be distributed, a
balance of tokens the user of computer terminal 150 has received
from other members of the social network, and/or a balance of
tokens the selected member has received from other members of the
social network).
[0043] In some embodiments, web server 120 can include some or all
of the functionality of token server 130. In other words, a web
server can also be a token server. In some embodiments, multiple
web servers can communicate with a single token server to access
information related to balances (or quantities) and/or exchanges of
tokens. In some embodiments, a single web server can communicate
with multiple token servers to access information related to
balances (or quantities) and/or exchanges of tokens. For example,
information related to balances (or quantities) and/or exchanges of
tokens of one member can be accessible at one token server and
information related to balances (or quantities) and/or exchanges of
tokens of another member can be accessible at another token server.
In some embodiments, a system can include multiple web servers and
multiple token servers that are distributed, for example,
geographically to provide desirable performance (e.g., data
transfer rates or access times) and/or redundancy.
[0044] To register or subscribe as a user of the token server 130,
the user can access the token server using an electronic device in
communication with the token server 130 through the network 140.
The user can access the token server 130 via a social network
webpage 150 or directly. The user then enters requested information
to create a user profile. For example, the user may be asked to
provide, his/her name, address, email address, etc., and to provide
information regarding the user's interests. The information
provided by the user is validated against a set of rules that
relate to format and value constraints. The system can also
validate whether the user name is unique and that there are no
other potential matches for the provided information. This ensures
that the user will have only one account with the service. After
reviewing and accepting the terms of agreement for use of the
system, the user verifies his/her email address to activate the
account. A predefined quantity of cool coins (also referred to as
"tokens" or "virtual tokens") can then be added to the user's
account. The cool coins can be transferred to other members, etc.
as described above.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 2, a user 210 (also referred to as member)
can access a token server 230 from one or more electronic devices
250 (e.g., a computer, cell phone, PDA, etc.) via a communications
network, such as the Internet (not shown in FIG. 2). In other
words, the user's account is not tied to a particular electronic
device, but rather to the particular user profile. As shown in FIG.
2, the user can also access the system through multiple different
social network web pages. For example, as described previously, the
user can create an account with the token server directly, or
through his/her association or membership with a social network.
The user can also associate his/her user profile or account with
multiple social networks 220 for which he/she is a member. Thus,
the user can access the token server 230 via different social
networks using the same account/user profile.
[0046] When accessing the system, the user will be presented with a
log-in page that requires the user to enter the user's name and
password (e.g., that can be set up during initial membership
creation). The user name and password can be authenticated using ,
for example, OpenID known in the art. After being authenticated and
logged-in to the system, the user can have access to his user
profile and other account information. For example, the user can
view and edit his profile, can view a balance of the number of cool
coins in his account, the number of cool-coins received by other
members or third parties, the number of cool coins transferred from
the user to other members, the number of cool coins available to
the user to give or transfer to others, the top users (e.g., top
ten users) with the most cool coins, the top users (e.g., the top
ten users) with the most coins within a category of interest to the
user, the standing of the user in the top lists, promotions
arranged by sponsors, awards given to users, a history of cool coin
transfers and other actions taken by the user's friends, for
example, in a particular social network. In some embodiments,
information related to the transfer and receipt of coins by other
members can be made available to the user.
[0047] In some embodiments, the user can be provided with a list of
his friends from various social networks that are also members of
the service and view various information related to his friends.
The user can also search for friends in one or more social network,
and invite or nominate friends to be become members of the token
service.
[0048] As described above, the user can request the transfer of
cool coins to other users, receive cool coins from other users, and
request that a previously given cool coin is revoked from a user.
As shown in FIG. 3, a token server 330 can be in communication with
one or more electronic devices 350 and to one or more social
network websites (e.g., web servers) 320 via a network 340, such as
the Internet. The token server 330 can include a database 332, one
or more processors 334 and a memory component 336. The token server
330 can track the distribution and transfer of cool coins between
members of the system. As shown in FIG. 3, the token server 330 can
maintain an account associated with each member (e.g., members A,
B, C, etc.). Within each account, the token server 330 can keep a
balance of the number of cool coins (e.g., tokens) in a user's
account and effectuate the transfer of cool coins between different
accounts based on a request of a user. For example, the token
server 330 can receive a request from user A to transfer a cool
coin from user A's account to user B's account.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an
embodiment. The method includes at 460, creating an account for a
new user of the token server. For example, the token server can
receive a request for membership from a user via an electronic
device. For example, the user can access the token server through a
social network webpage for which the user is a member, or can
access the token server directly. In some embodiments, an account
for a user can be created via the user's association with a social
network. In some embodiments, the token server can receive a
request for nomination for membership of a user. For example, a
current user or member can nominate or otherwise invite another
user to become a member of the token server. At 462, at least one
virtual token is added to an account associated with a user of a
token server upon initial association (e.g., membership creation)
of the user with the token server. For example, a predetermine
finite quantity of tokens can be added to the account of the user
upon creation of a membership with the token server as described
herein. A virtual token can have an associated value that is
different than another virtual token. A virtual token can also
include identifying information and be capable of being tracked by
the token server as the token is transferred between accounts.
[0050] The token server can be configured to transfer virtual
tokens to and from accounts associated with multiple users or
members and can be accessible by one or more electronic devices in
communication with the token server via a network. At 464, at least
one virtual token is transferred from an account associated with a
first user of the token server to an account associated with a
second user of the token server based upon a request received from
the first user of the token server via an electronic device. For
example, the transferred virtual token can be associated with a
popularity rating of the second user. The token server can also
receive requests from a user to revoke a transferred token back and
add that revoked token back to that user's account. At 466, the
token server can store data associated with a quantity of virtual
tokens associated with one or more users of the token server. The
token server can also store data related to the transfer activity
between accounts. The stored data can be provided to one or more
users of the token server or a third party at 468.
[0051] As described herein, the token server can also be configured
to identify a user of the token server as influential based on one
or more of a variety of different factors, such as, for example,
(1) a quantity of virtual tokens associated with an account of the
user, and/or (2) the rate of receipt of a predetermined quantity of
virtual tokens associated with the user, and/or (3) a geographic
location of the user. The token server can also add tokens to an
account of a user for various other events such as, for example,
based on an activity associated with the user of the token
server.
[0052] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating another method according
to an embodiment. The method includes at 570, a first user
accessing a token server using an electronic device. For example,
the first user can access the token server directly or via a social
network website. At 572, an indication of a first quantity of
virtual tokens associated with an account of a first user of the
token server is received. For example, the first quantity of
virtual tokens can be a predetermined finite quantity of virtual
tokens available for distribution by the first user. At 574 an
indication that at least one virtual token has been transferred
from an account associated with a second user of the token server
to the account associated with the first user of the token server
is received. For example, a second user of the token server can
request that a virtual token be transferred from his account to the
account of the first user as an indication that the second user
views the first user as being cool or popular. At 576, a request
can be sent to the token server to request that at least one
virtual token from the account associated with the first user of
the token server be transferred to an account associated with
another user of a third party. At 578, an indication that the first
user is identified as influential is received. For example, the
first user can be identified as influential based on a variety of
factors, including, for example, (1) a quantity of virtual tokens
associated with the account of the first user, and/or (2) the rate
of receipt of a predetermined quantity of virtual tokens associated
with the first user, and/or (3) a geographic location of the first
user.
[0053] It is intended that the methods and services described
herein can be performed by software, hardware, or a combination
thereof. Hardware modules may include, for example, a
general-purpose processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA),
and/or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Software
modules can be expressed in a variety of software languages (e.g.,
computer code), including C, C++, Java.TM., Ruby, Visual Basic.TM.,
and other object-oriented, procedural, or other programming
language and development tools. Examples of computer code include,
but are not limited to, micro-code or micro-instructions, machine
instructions, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing
higher-level instructions that are executed by a computer using an
interpreter. Additional examples of computer code include, but are
not limited to, control signals, encrypted code, and compressed
code. Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it
will be appreciated that various changes and modifications might be
made.
[0054] Some embodiments described herein relate to a computer
storage product with a computer-readable medium (also can be
referred to as a processor-readable medium) having instructions or
computer code thereon for performing various computer-implemented
operations. The media and computer code (also can be referred to as
code) may be those designed and constructed for the specific
purpose or purposes. Examples of computer-readable media include,
but are not limited to: magnetic storage media such as hard disks,
floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical storage media such as
Compact Disc/Digital Video Discs (CD/DVDs), Compact Disc-Read Only
Memories (CD-ROMs), and holographic devices; magneto-optical
storage media such as optical disks; carrier wave signal processing
modules; and hardware devices that are specially configured to
store and execute program code, such as application-specific
integrated circuits (ASICs), Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), and
Read-Only Memory (ROM) and Random-Access Memory (RAM) devices.
[0055] While various embodiments have been described above, it
should be understood that they have been presented by way of
example only, not limitation, and various changes in form and
details may be made. Any portion of the apparatus and/or methods
described herein may be combined in any combination, except
mutually exclusive combinations. The embodiments described herein
can include various combinations and/or sub-combinations of the
functions, components and/or features of the different embodiments
described. Furthermore, each feature disclosed in this
specification may be replaced by alternative features serving the
same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated
otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature
disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or
similar features.
* * * * *